Sister Gabriela makes Perpetual Monastic Profession

Saturday, May 2, was a joyful day for the community with the perpetual monastic profession of Sister Gabriela Ramirez. Thirty-eight years ago, Sister Gabriela entered religious life as a Missionary Gadalupana Sister. Four years ago, Sister Gabriela felt a call toward a new way of expressing her religious vocation — that of monastic life. With the consent of her Guadalupana superiors, she has spent the past four years living within our community, with both Sister Gaby and the monastic community continuing their discernment. Having completed these years of discernment as well as the canonical requirements for transfer from one religious congregation to another, Sister Gabriela made her perpetual monastic profession as a Benedictine Sister, officially joining the community of Sacred Heart Monastery in Cullman.

The community rejoiced to have with us Sister Gabriela’s aunt and uncle along with many friends, Religious sisters, brothers and priests. Several musician friends of Sister Gaby’s added joy to the liturgy. The festive meal that followed the liturgy was a wonderful celebration of community across cultures and continents.  Below are pictures from the liturgy. The live-stream may be accessed at https://youtube.com/live/5ylEBX9rIns.

Guest musicians confer with Sister Magdalena, organist, before the liturgy. Their presence added much to the liturgy.

The opening hymn.

The opening hymn.

Sister Lynn Elisabeth, Prioress, offers an Exhortation prior to the profession ritual.

Guests included family and friends of Sister Gabriela, along with numerous Religious sisters, brothers, and priests.

Sister Gabriela states her request. Before her are her profession candle and her not-yet-signed profession document.

Sister Lynn Elisabeth lights Sister Gabriela's profession candle with a light from the Paschal candle.

Sister Lynn Elisabeth, prioress, asks Sister Gabriela a series of questions related to monastic profession, confirming her resolve.

Sister Gabriela reads aloud her profession document before the gathered assembly.

Sister Gabriela signs her profession document on the altar.

Sister Gabriela sings the ancient chant of the Suscipe, expressing the spirit of self-giving and joy. She repeats this chant three times, each time repeated by the monastic community.

An ancient part of the monastic profession liturgy is prostrating before the community and being covered with a pall as the Litany of the Saints is sung by the community, followed by a prayer of consecration by the Prioress. The pall represents Sister Gabriela's death to self and her rising to life in Christ.

Sister Gabriela is clothed in the monastic cuculla, a sign of her monastic identity that is worn in the liturgy on special occasions.

Sister Lynn Elisabeth presents the traditional ring of our community as a sign of her profession and a seal of her faith in Christ.

As part of the monastic profession ritual, each perpetually-professed member of the community offers a sign of peace which signals her permanent acceptance into the Sacred Heart community.

Sister Elisabeth and Sister Gabriela at the conclusion of the liturgy, awaiting their place in the recessional. (photo credit: Rocio Marino)

Sister Gabriela greets guests after the liturgy.

A joyful atmosphere prevailed during the festive meal following the liturgy.

The monastery kitchen staff prepared a magnificent meal of delicious Mexican favorites, including tamles.

Our Lady of Guadalupe and bright flowers anchored each table. Guests provided many of the drinks, including delicious fresh pineapple juice.

The gift table.

The lit profession candle at the conclusion of the liturgy.

Photos by Sister Therese Haydel, except where noted.